Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in Canyon County. According to Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District Director Ed Burnett, a trap containing 95 Culex tarsalis mosquitoes testing positive was collected from a site on the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Burnett said CCMAD has been monitoring a spike in the Culex tarsalis mosquitoes throughout the county over the past two weeks.

The positive trap was located near the intersection of Pump Road and Lake Shore Drive approximately five miles west of Highway 45.

Burnett said the district has begun increased nighttime fogging treatments to the south of the refuge, and will continue throughout the week. Larval control efforts will also be stepped up to reduce mosquito populations. The increased control activity will include aerial application of Bacillus thuringiensis on shoreline habitat along Lake Shore Drive of DFNWR. Follow up trapping and testing will be conducted later in the week.

Throughout the county, routine mosquito control operations will continue, Burnett said. There will be an increase in surveillance and monitoring as a response to the positive West Nile Virus mosquitoes found, particularly in locations which have had a history of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus.

In 2006, this same trap location was one of the early indicators of West Nile Virus in Canyon County. There was no disease presence documented on DFNWR in 2007 or 2008. The reemergence of West Nile Virus in this area and potentially other areas of the county so early in the year further indicates the need to take necessary precautions when taking part in outdoor activities. Cover up exposed skin by wearing long sleeved shirts, pants and socks. It is important to remember to use an approved mosquito repellant to avoid the bite of a possibly infected mosquito. Mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are all EPA-approved repellants. Make sure to follow all label instructions carefully.

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare West Nile Virus Information web site at www.westnile.idaho.gov. For information on up-to-date mosquito control operations, please call the Mosquito Abatement District at 461-8633. The CCMAD will make frequent updates to the Mosquito Abatement section on the Canyon County web page at www.canyonco.org.